“Oh, no!” Nan retorted; “this combination has never before been offered to an American public!” “What! Have you turned your mirror to the wall and your bed up-side-down?” “Bert, you’re saucy!” cried Nan. “But why are you in such a hurry?” “Because,” Bert began sententiously, “a business woman can’t waste mornings at this rate. _My_ oysters and salad are earned by the labor of my hands, and depend upon a faithful discharge of my duties. Good-morning, idle worms! I am off; my employer will be expecting me,” and the lofty confidential clerk stalked tragically toward the door. “Your _what_?” cried Nan, while Evelyn flew out of her room and demanded, “What under the sun are you talking about, Bert?” Bert was now leaning against the newel-post in a paroxysm of laughter. “Girls,” she said with great impressiveness, “I mean exactly what I say—I’m ahead of you all! Aha, my precious Nan! I am due this morning at the office of ‘N. F. Mitchell & Company, wholesale and retail seed house,’ in the capacity of private secretary!” “Oh, Bert,” commented Evelyn with sympathetic pride in her friend. “Oh, you dear, brave Bert!” Nan was silent for a moment, but her shining eyes were eloquent with surprise and delight; finally she said slowly, with returning incredulity: “No, Bert—you don’t really mean it—you are jesting.” “Jesting! Please come and see me perched on a stool six feet high, with an inky streak across my nose, and my fingers a sight to behold! Well,” glancing again with a business-like air at her watch, “call at the office, since you have nothing else to do, and look in, but don’t dare to speak to me. Good-bye!” she said as she opened the door; “good-bye!” she shouted from the front steps, and “good-bye!” again at the gate; while Nan and Evelyn gazed after her and then at each other. “‘I’m struck spachless,’ as the Irishman said,” murmured Nan, sinking upon the top step. “I think it’s grand news,” asserted Evelyn, with a deep sigh of gratification; “let’s hurry up with our work, and go to Cathy’s this afternoon! Wont she be astonished!” And away they sped to their own rooms and their own plans. Not that these two sisters led lives apart, for they were the best of friends, and had already discussed their respective hopes and fears. The fears were usually monopolized by Evelyn, who was of a timid, self-distrustful nature and hesitated to attempt many things where Nan rushed boldly in. But if she was not made to lead, she was well adapted to follow, if only she were encouraged by a more dauntless spirit. Nan was such a spirit; yet Evelyn, in her quiet way, often held her impulsive sister to a purpose when the dull reaction from high enthusiasms set in with Nan.